Magnetic Maze Boards Recalled Over Dangerous Magnets

About 18,500 Magnetic Maze Boards have been recalled by Lakeshore Learning Materials, of Carson, California, due to choking, intestinal, and aspiration hazards, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC is advising consumers to stop using recalled products immediately, unless otherwise instructed and notes that it is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

The Magnetic Maze Boardâ€™s plastic wand can separate and expose a magnet that can be a choking hazard to children. If a child has more than one of these toys and the magnets detach and are swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforations or blockages, which can be fatal.

Lakeshore has received ten reports of wands separating and magnets detaching. No injuries have been reported, to date.

This recall involves wooden Magnetic Maze Boards, which have a clear plastic sheet that covers small wooden or plastic pieces located inside a maze. A plastic wand containing a magnet in its tip is attached to the board by a cord. The wand is used to move items inside the maze. The top of the board reads: â€œWhoâ€™s Hiding in the Garden?â€; â€œWhoâ€™s Hiding in the Ocean?â€; â€œMagnetic Counting Mazeâ€; â€œMagnetic Alphabet Boardâ€; or â€œMy Community Magnetic Board.â€

The recalled Magnetic Maze Boards, which were manufactured in China, were sold by Lakeshore Learning Materials stores nationwide, in its catalogs, and online at www.lakeshorelearning.com from January 2009 through May 2010 singly or in sets for between $30 and $40.

The CPSC is advising consumers to immediately take this toy away from children and contact Lakeshore to receive a free replacement product. Lakeshore Learning Materials can be reached toll-free at (800) 428-4414 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, or at the companyâ€™s website at www.lakeshorelearning.com